Pakistani exports are likely to suffer as arch-rival India is employing better techniques to grab the market
Indian farmers get subsidy on fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and electricity unlike their Pakistani counterparts
LAHORE: Rice exports are likely to be declined as the government is unwilling to facilitate the farmers while India is doing its best to grab the international market.
Pakistani rice is popular across the world and the commodity has great demand in international market. Pakistan produces various qualities and varieties of rice every year.
The Pakistani basmati rice is in great demand in the United States, Europe and United Arab Emirates. The non-basmati rice is exported across the world, with the African states being the major consumers. China is also an emerging market for Pakistani rice.
The highly demanded varieties of basmati include super basmati, 1121-Kayinat, brown basmati, super 2000, 515 and 386, while the irri-6 is the non-basmati in demand. All of these verities are famous for their taste in international market and somehow they are elite varieties as well.
Pakistan is earning a huge capital against the export of rice, but now export is likely to suffer as archrival India is trying to grab the market. India is occupying Pakistani market which is an alarming situation for both the government and exporters. Poor packing and marketing are affecting the export or rice.
Indian exporters are occupying the international market due to proper marketing and packing. Pakistan is on the brink of losing a huge capital only because of using old methods.
According to the experts, Pakistan should take serious notice of the situation and must take steps to improve quality, marketing and packing of the product. Rice exporters should plan a proper strategy to develop their marketing strategy and to improve their packing and quality as well. New research and development institutions should be employed for the betterment of the situation.
The Indian government is facilitating rice producers. India is consuming billions of rupees to improve the living standards of farmers. They get subsidy on fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and electricity. On the other hand, the Pakistani government provides no subsidy at all and the farmers are compelled to buy costly electricity.
The government must take steps to increase the total area of rice production and should provide subsidy to the farmers on electricity, pesticides and seeds.
